It is time for Congress and the White House to invest in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure with strong Buy America rules to support the creation of good-paying American jobs.
There is a demonstrated need for massive investment in our public infrastructure. America's bridges, water systems, broadband internet, school buildings, and other modes of critical infrastructure have long been in terrible shape. The United States lags behind much of the world, including China, when it comes to clean energy manufacturing and energy efficiency.
We are now seeing the devastating real-world consequences of inaction. Millions of people lost electricity and heat this year in Texas, Kentucky, Oregon, and other states during a severe winter storm because of chronic underinvestment in the electric grid.
Meanwhile, the deepening economic crisis facing Americans only reinforces the need to make game-changing, job-supporting investments in the infrastructure that we all rely on in our daily lives.
An infrastructure package with strong Buy America rules will create more jobs and have a higher long-term return for our economy than relying on imported iron, steel, and manufactured products to build our public infrastructure. Investments in American-made infrastructure and clean energy could create millions of good new jobs across our nation.
It is time for Congress and President Biden to move forward with a comprehensive infrastructure agenda. We must also express confidence in U.S. manufacturers and American workers by ensuring that our infrastructure spending adhere to strong Buy America rules: This investment must benefit all American workers.